The Pi Core Team (PCT) has announced the launch of the Pi Hackathon 2025. The event is set to commence this Thursday, August 21.
However, the announcement has ignited significant controversy within the Pi community, compounded by the cryptocurrency’s ongoing price challenges.
Pi Hackathon 2025: Will it Revive Pi Network Amid Ongoing Issues?
According to the official blog, this marks Pi Network’s first hackathon since the Open Network launch.
“This hackathon invites developers to build and deploy meaningful Pi Apps that empower real-world utility using Pi and help shape the ecosystem,” the blog reads.
The Pi Hackathon 2025 will officially start in 2 days, with the final submission deadline on October 15. The Pi Network team also announced that developers will have the opportunity to receive valuable feedback during the midpoint check-in on September 19.
The hackathon offers a total of 160,000 Pi Coin (PI) in prizes. The first-place team will receive 75,000 Pi, while the second-place team will be awarded 45,000 PI. The third-place team will receive 15,000 PI. Additionally, up to five teams will be recognized with Honorable Mentions, each receiving 5,000 PI.
“There is no limit on team size. Developers are encouraged to collaborate and form focused teams to build fewer but higher-quality apps. Teams must submit a final team member list in the final submission form by October 15. Also note that all team members will have to pass Pi KYC in order to be eligible to receive the prizes,” the team added.
As the hackathon approaches, the Pi community remains divided. While some express optimism about a potential utility boost, the prevailing sentiment leans toward frustration.
A user noted that many Pioneers are unfamiliar with using the Pi SDK and PiOS. This is a barrier for those looking to get involved in the hackathon.
He stressed that introducing a stable version of Pi App Studio could simplify the process, making it easier for more Pioneers to bring their app ideas into the Pi ecosystem.
“Pi App Studio is still not ready for the hackathon. It needs to leave the beta stage,” a prominent Pioneer replied.
The PCT faced additional criticism for failing to address longstanding operational issues. A former validator voiced concerns related to the Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
“Many of us pass KYC fully and you reverse us back to tentative approval while we are waiting for migration for more than a year now. We can’t even communicate with the team. I was even a validator. Fix it Pi team,” the user posted.
This persistent issue has left some Pioneers unable to migrate to the mainnet, a prerequisite for full ecosystem participation. This has raised questions about the PCT’s prioritization.
Finally and perhaps most importantly, Pioneers also raised alarms about PI’s falling price.
“The CT is happily looking at their private pockets, while the community is left behind in this centralized project. PI is down -80%, left without any demand, heavily centralized and billions in circulation. Why does the CT start a hackathon in such a mess, while winners from old hackathons still did not get their rewards? Is it over for PI? Is this the start of the downfall?” a community member wrote.
BeInCrypto also highlighted that Pi Coin’s struggles have continued despite a broader bullish market. In fact, investors are increasingly leaving PI, as evidenced by a lack of search interest and massive supply sitting on exchanges.
The PCT has not responded officially to the criticisms, leaving uncertainty about whether the hackathon will revitalize the ecosystem or exacerbate its current challenges. With registration now open, all eyes will be on the event’s execution and the team’s ability to address the mounting concerns.
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